Podcasting Kit for SharePoint Released on CodePlex

Fresh off the presses – still in CTP with beta not slated till ‘09 – that will give you the tools to enhance your Web 2.0 chic in the enterprise with podcasting content that can be easily and readily consumed on desktops and mobile devices like Zunes and SmartPhones.  From the CodePlex site:

• Share content by producing your own audio/video podcasts and publish them on PKS on your own.
• Connect and engage with podcasters via your integrated instant messaging program
• Find the most relevant content using the five star rating system, tag cloud, search engine and provide your feedback via comments.
• Get automatic podcast updates by subscribing to RSS feeds fully compatible with Zune and other podcasting devices
  • Simple RSS feed based on a defined podcast series
  • Simple RSS feed based on a person
  • Dynamic RSS feed based on search results
• Play podcasts in real-time using Microsoft® Silverlight™ and progressive playback
• Retrieve instant ROI and metrics with the ability to track the number of podcasts downloaded and/or viewed, instant feedback via rating system and comments, and subscribers via the RSS feed
• Access the richness of SharePoint to extend the solution: workflows, community sub-sites, access rights, editorial and more
• Customize your own PKS User Experience

What more could you want?  This is a really full palette!  And the preview certainly looks decent – everything you’d expect:

This is a really exciting development for SharePoint as it adds an additional layer of usability depth to the MOSS platform that really makes it a compelling communications and collaboration platform.

Imagine, for example, having a podcast series on brainstorming sessions for different workgroups and teams, or thought-leader commentaries that can be disseminated prior to a meeting to help “prime” participants, or even basic “how-to” tutorials for performing a variety of routine tasks – the potential for empowering knowledge workers within an organization is almost limitless, and one that’s become an increasing topic of discussion with my peers and colleagues in MCS.

I’ll blog more on my experiences with the CTP when I get a moment – just wanted to get this out while the iron was hot!